I called into the Ingram Micro Showcase today to get a look at all the new geek toys available here in New Zealand. LCD screens, projectors, wireless this and thats. It was all very exciting. I collected lots of lollies and pens to make my eleven year old son very happy after school tonight. What else would you do with a Microsoft branded money box? I mean really, what would YOU do?

Unfortunately I was dressed in the wrong gear. My jeans were blue (designer, please), my jacket was brown (suede, please). Ordinary clothing for most women in my age group maybe, but not average clothing for this sector. I would say that more than ninety percent of the people out at Greenlane today were in black. Basic, boring black. Black pants and shirt for the men, black pants and blouse for the women. Polyester paradise. Oh, the Ingram Micro / Tech Pacific women had this knitted blue poncho on top, but basically it was black all the way. The more polyester the better. Blue jeans (designer, please) and brown jacket (suede, please) – my first mistakes.

I dutifully visited most of the trade stands at the showcase. After all I do sell the odd printer, wireless router and PC. It was really interesting. The moment I mentioned that I worked anywhere near schools the sales droids eyes glazed over. Yes, the Sales. Droids. Eyes. Glazed. Over. That’s what I felt these people were – droids. Master glazers. That’s really sad. What the droids don’t understand is that if I put a BrandX printer into a classroom 30 kids and at least one adult will notice that it’s brand X. When I was teaching, I noticed that several times – “Oh, Mrs G, I’ve got a XXXX printer at home. It’s great …”. Or “I told Mum that we had a XXXX camera at school …”. Brands do matter; kids are consumers too.

In my present job I am regularly asked about my printer / computer / camera / (insert) geek toy recommendations . I’m quite honest about the brands and models that I prefer. After today I’ll be even more honest because I kow who was happy to spend time talking to the woman who was not in the coporate black uniform and who was a teensy bit older than the buying demographic.

AArrrgghh.